With the MLB draft bobbing up in July, MLB.com has posted two mock drafts within the ultimate two-plus weeks. The Baltimore Orioles have the No. 1 pick out total, however there’s but to be consensus on who they’ll make a choice; newshounds Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis predicted two other gamers to move first in 2022.
Will Baltimore cross with highschool phenom equivalent to Druw Jones of Wesleyan Prime Faculty (Peachtree Corners, Ga.) or school superstar like Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee?
Mayo argued that precedent set through the Orioles signifies it is going to be the varsity participant. He wrote:
“The Orioles have stored cash through taking a height school bat the previous two years, so for this primary version, I’m going that direction.”
In 2020, Baltimore took Heston Kjerstad with the No. 2 pick out and ultimate yr decided on Colton Cowser at No. 5. In 2019, the Orioles additionally went the varsity direction after they drafted catcher Adley Rutschman, however that used to be as a result of he used to be the highest participant within the draft, no longer a money-saving transfer within the vein of Mayo’s description of the 2020 and 2021 alternatives.
Lee is a switch-hitter who confirmed energy and call within the Cape Cod League ultimate summer time, slashing .405/.432/.667 and hitting six house runs in 84 at-bats. Throughout the varsity yr at Cal Poly, he hit .371 with 11 house runs and had an OPS of one.141.
Mayo mentioned the Orioles are “closely scouting” Lee and DH/3B/RF Jacob Berry on the school stage, and Druw Jones, Elijah Inexperienced, Termarr Johnson and Jackson Holliday at the highschool stage.
Callis projected the Orioles to move with a kind of highschool choices — Jones, son of former MLB outfielder Andruw Jones.
Baltimore will pick out “the most productive participant to be had, find it irresistible did with Rutschman,” Callis predicted.
For what it’s price, Mayo additionally seems to imagine Jones is the most productive participant, pronouncing that the staff with the No. 2 pick out (Arizona Diamondbacks) would pick out “the most productive participant at the board … presently, Jones is that participant.”
A five-tool prospect, Jones hits for touch and tool, has pace, is an excellent defender and does stuff like this:
Noticed Druw Jones this night (son of Andruw), my height prospect for the 2022 draft.
Opposed street crowd and confronted 90-93 mph from Georgia State dedicate Brady Jones.
Amidst chants of “overvalued” he hits a rocket lifeless central. Pal helped me with an aspect perspective @espn @jones_druw %.twitter.com/8huUGVhFUG
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 3, 2022
Because the Orioles proceed scouting, they’ll have an opportunity to take but some other younger superstar to lend a hand on their rebuild. With what’s going to be their fourth top-five pick out in a row, they’ll upload to what they hope goes to be a robust nucleus going ahead.
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